Device for holding spring-actuated curtains.



[Io/707,609. Patented Aug. 26, I902.

J. H. MILANS.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPRING AGTUATED CURTAINS.

(Application filed my 25, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH II. MILANS, OF WVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO CURTAIN SUPPLY COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, AND CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPRING-ACTUATED CURTAINS.

SPIEClFICATIUN formingpart of Letters Patent No. 707,609, dated August 26, 1902.

Application filed May 25, 1901. Serial No. 61.897. (N model.)

To all whont it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. MILANS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Holding Spring-Actuated Curtains;

and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the IQ art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in devices for holding spring-actuated curtains at different points of adjustment; and

itis embodied in the construction and arrangement of parts presently to be described, and defined in the claims.

The invention relates more particularly to that type of fixture wherein elongated heads are employed and springs for projecting the head against the casing or side posts for creating a friction sufficient to retain the curtain at diiferent points of adjustment against the pull of the constantly-acting roller-spring.

Heretofore elongated heads have been employed having rocking shoes or friction-surfaces and also with oblong friction-surfaces.

One of the features of the present invention consists in heads of this type with a movable 3o friction-surface,the engaging portion of which may be changed or shifted so as to present a new friction surface, while permitting an easy movement or adjustment of the fixture. This feature of the invention may be briefly stated as consisting in a head having an endless band arranged so that a portion thereof will come in contact with the stationary post or guide and serve as a friction-surface.

A further feature of the invention resides in the general arrangement and combination of the means for securing the heads to the curtain-stick.

In the drawings I have shown a construction embodying the invention, but desire it understood that the general principle and nature of the invention is such as to permit of various changes or modifications without departure.

Figure 1 is an elevation showing parts in section. Fig. 2 is an edge view of one of the heads. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of a modified form.

A designates a side post having vertical grooves a therein of any approved or wellknown type. 5

B designates a curtain-stick. This stick, it is understood, is to be attached to a shade or curtain which, as is usual, is carried by the roller, (not shown,) the tendency of the rollerspring being to draw the curtain up at all times. The stickBis convenientlyhollow,and within the same are located the stems C, one in each end, the inner or opposite ends of the stems being provided with heads 0, and between the stems there is positioned a coilspring D, the tendency of which is to force the stems outward, their outward movement being limited by, suitable screws or pins 19.

The above construction is one of many which can be adopted in connection with the invention presently to be described.

On the outer ends of the stems are secured thehollow boxes or shells E, of oblong formation, in the upper and lower portions of which are journaled rollers e, the peripheries of which project to at or near the edge of the shells. Passing around the pulleys is an endless friction-band F, which is so constructed as to have its intermediate courses substantially in straight parallel planes. This 8c band may be made of flexible metal, rawhide, or other suitable material, and its thickness is such as to carry the outer course beyond the plane of the edge of the box or shell E, so that when the head is projecting toward the bottom of the groove engagement or contact will be on the outer portion of the endless band. It may be found convenient in some instances to back the outer course of the band by suitable means, and for this pur- 9o pose I have shown in dotted lines an intermediate roller e. It will be observed that the friction of the band passing around the rollers, in connection with the power of the spring, will be suflicient to overcome the nor- 5 mal tendency of the spring-roller; but as soon as the spring is forced upward or downward the friction is lessened, the band constantly guides and projecting outwardly slightly berevolving around the rollers, thus avoiding any dragging tendency. It will further be observed that inasmuch as the friction-surface is constantlyin contact with the stationary guide the moment the pressu re is released from the stick the friction-surface, being seat ed, will act immediately. It will also be observed that the fixture to a certain extent obviates the necessity of extreme nicety of adjustment, owing to the fact that the force exerted upon the shoes at the base of the groove may be constant while the friction-surface thereof is moved by the rotation of the band around the pulleys, thus avoiding wearing on the base of the guide-groove, as well as that of the friction-surface of the friction-shoe.

I believe that I am the first to make an ex tended friction-surface as distinguished from the roll which is susceptible of movement independent of the head while in contact with the stationary surface without releasing the friction-creating pressure.

In some cases it may be found convenient to dispense with the spring D, in which case the stems C may be united by the nut Gr, having a right and left threaded bore engaging the corresponding threads on the stems, as shown in Fig. 3, the purpose of the construction being to effect the necessary free adjustment.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Ahead for shade-holding fixtures of the character described provided with a frictionsurface comprising an endless band arranged to have a portion projecting beyond the head, and means on the head for carrying the band; substantially as described.

2. In a curtain-holding device, the combination with a shade-stick and a fixed guide, of a friction-head carried by the stick having rollers in its opposite ends, an endless band extending around the rollers and projecting beyond the guide, and means for creating a frictional engagement between the stationary guide and the endless band; substantially as described.

3. In a curtain-holding device, the combination with a shade-stick and a fixed guide, of a friction-head carried by the stick having rollers at its opposite ends, an endless band extending around the rollers and projecting beyond the guide, means for creating a frictional engagement between the stationary guide and the endless band, and an interme diate support for the band; substantially as described.

4. A head for shade-holding fixtures provided with separated guides, and a revoluble friction-band adapted to work around said yond the plane of the end of the head; substantially as described.

5. .A shade-holding fixture comprising a i stick adapted to be attached to the shade,

heads at the opposite ends of the stick, a fric= tion-band carried by each head, and adjusting means for imparting thedesired holdingstick adapted to be attached to the shade, op-

positely-disposed heads at the ends of the stick, separated guides in each head, and a band carried by each head and adapted to move longitudinally thereof around said guides; substantially as described.

7. A shade-holding fixture comprising a stick adapted to be attached to the shade, oppositely-disposed heads at the ends of the stick, separated guides in each head, a band carried by each head and adapted to move longitudinally thereof around said guides, and adjusting means for imparting the desired holding-pressure to the bands; substantially as described.

8. A shade-holding fixture comprising a stick adapted to be attached to the shade, oppositely-disposed heads at the ends of the stick, guide-rollers at the ends of each head, a friction -band carried by each head and adapted to move longitudinally thereof around said rollers, and means for imparting to said bands the desired holding-pressure; substantially as described.

9. In combination with a stick adapted to be attached to a shade, holding means including a head carried by the stick and provided with separated guides, and a frictionband adapted to work over said guides; substantially as described.

10. In combination with a stick adapted to be attached to a shade, holding means including a head carried by the stick and provided with separated guides, and a revoluble flat friction band adapted to work over said guides; substantially as described.

11. In combination with astick adapted to be attached to a shade, holding means including a head carried by the stick and provided With a fiat movable friction-band,and guiding means for said band; substantially as described.

12. In combination with a stick adapted to be attached to a shade, holding means including a head carried by the stick and provided with a friction-band movable independently of the head; substantially as described.

13. In combination with a stick adapted to be attached to a shade, holding means including a head carried by the stick and provided with a friction device adapted to travel along the face of the head when the stick is moved up or down; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH II. MILANS.

Vitnesses:

CALVIN T. IVIILANS, GEO. 'l. MAY, Jr. 

